RJ concludes medium-haul fleet modernization drive, will receive the first of the seven EMBRAER 195 next week

The last of six new Airbus A320s and A321s (An Airbus A320), which were assimilated during the last ten months, joined the RJ fleet yesterday. The delivery comes in line with the company’s strategic plan, set in the summer of 2004, to replace short- and medium-haul Airbus A310 and A320 with new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

President/CEO Samer Majali said the aircraft, named Madaba, has completed the first phase of the medium-haul fleet modernization plan. The company is now geared to receive the first EMBRAER 195, as per Royal Jordanian’s contract with the Brazilian enterprise Embraer for the acquisition of seven newly manufactured EMBRAER 195 aircraft to operate on regional short-haul routes. The airline expects to receive the aircraft next week.

Majali underscored RJ's keenness to renew its fleet with modern aircraft that are bound to serve the company's vision and objectives of offering its passengers world-class air and ground services. The six Airbus, said Majali, have distinguished quality technical and services specifications for seats, seat pitch, music, games and means of passenger entertainment. Besides the various other services, each passenger can now enjoy watching his/her favorite program on a special screen installed on every Crown and Economy class seat.

The Airbus A320 was painted the new color scheme designed for the RJ aircraft fleet, which resembles the old livery. RJ has been eager to provide optimal passenger convenience aboard this plane which seats 136 passengers, 16 on Crown Class and 120 on Economy. The Airbus A321 consists of 167 seats: 20 on Crown class, and 147 on economy.

Majali also said that RJ selected V2500-powered International Aero Engines (IAE) to be installed on its new Airbus aircraft. IAE are among the most advanced and powerful engines internationally. The high technical performance of the engines, their low overall cost of ownership and low fuel consumption will play a considerable role in the current renewal program and services the airline offers its passengers.

As for naming the aircraft, Majali said: “Royal Jordanian designated names of Jordanian cities on its new aircraft with the intention of promoting these cities in the various countries around the world to which the aircraft fly — in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.” The latest, Madaba, was preceded by Amman, Aqaba, Irbid, Karak and As-Salt aircraft.

Royal Jordanian’s fleet now counts 24 aircraft — Airbus A340, A310, A320, A321, in addition to Bombardier Q300, Q400 and Fokker 28. The airline’s fleet will reach around 30 aircraft in the coming three years, after all the 100-seat EMBRAER 195s join the fleet. Thus, the fleet modernization program will help achieve the recent company vision, that it be the airline of choice connecting Jordan and the Levant with the world. It will boost air transport between Amman and Arab and regional cities by increasing the frequency of daily flights to these cities and enhancing the route network in this busy region.